Part 7: Santosha
Santosha or contentment
Join me as I embark on 40 weeks of trying to live the yamas and niyamas off the mat. 4 weeks for each of the 10 ethical principles.
Today we explore the 2nd niyama called santosha or contentment. Do you look outward for satisfaction, play the “regretting” game, or compare yourself to others? This niyama is definitely more than “just” being in a state of bliss all the time.
But first, what are the niyamas? Also known as ethical "observances", there are 5 in total, and form the second of the 8 limbs of yoga. Yes, there is much more to yoga than just the physical poses!
Here's what I discovered (& I encourage you to do some of your own self-exploration):
This was frustrating to realise, mainly because I still find it challenging to stop, but I (probabaly like many others can relate to hopefully), have this mentality of “getting ready”, rather than actually living what I am getting ready for.
I love this exercise: try spending days doing what you don’t like, and not doing what you do like. This gives me such a good picture of how attached I really am to my preferences. Santosha comes about when we feel neutral about something, i.e. not moving towards what we want (pleasure), and moving away from what we don’t (avoidance).
Take responsibility for my own emotional disturbances. I can always (literally always, even if a little tricky in some situations), trace my emotional disturbances back to myself. This can take a bit of time, distance, and reflection, but is worth it. This helps shift my perspective, and if I don’t do this, I automatically stand in my own way of standing in a place of contentment.
This is a bit of a paradox, but by not seeking contentment, we allow ourselves to appreciate what we do have…which brings about contentment. I think especially on this spiritual journey, and as part of the wider self-improvement world, it can be easy to look at all these yamas and niyamas and seek to achieve them, sort of collecting them like a set of pokemon cards. That is NOT how this works though! The more we seek santosha, the more it alludes us.
My favourite tip: how to get contentment and stay there? Use gratitude as a tool.
What I will do more of: I am so easily sucked into “doing” and seeking stimulation, which if I really observe it, draws me out of a place of contentment. I want to “be more and do less”.
Takeaway: Things are neutral, it is our labelling of them that makes them pleasurable or repulsive…which is what moves us out of contentment. The path is easy for those who have no preferences…
You can practice santosha with me on the mat in a free Youtube class, during which I share with you journal prompts and ways that you can practice this yogic observance of contentment in your own daily life.
I am SO excited to share with you this 10 part series where we explore the yamas and niyamas in more detail during restorative, yin style classes. See you over in class on Youtube (@Tati von Yoga).
P.S. Here are some suggested JOURNAL PROMPTS from Deborah Adele's book ‘The Yamas and Niyamas’:
* Notice when you find yourself getting ready for the next thing or looking for contentment from something outside of yourself.
* Notice how much energy you expend moving towards what you enjoy, and avoiding what you dislike. Notice any physical gripping sensations in your body.
* Take responsibility for all your emotional disturbances. Trace every annoyance and setback to yourself. Choose to stay in the disturbance or return to the calm centre of contentment, or be content with your disturbance.
* Practice gratitude and non-seeking. Be content with each moment as it is. Fall in love with your life as it is.
Lots of love & kindness,
Tati
xx
